Jenna Lyons Proves That Yes, You CAN Wear A Sweatshirt To A Fancy Party

I have a certain dark grey sweatshirt from Wildfox Couture that is probably the most conversation-starting piece of clothing I own. There’s nothing especially unusual about it—save for the insanely, impossibly soft fleece lining, I guess—but across the front of it reads the word "YES" in big, bold capital letters. It’s a bit unbelievable how many people stop me on the street when I’m decked out in my statement sweater—and thankfully, not all of them are creepy old men. In fact, everyone from my favorite Condé Nast cafeteria cashier to my apartment’s superintendent has either giggled at or asked about the piece.

And that’s precisely why it’s the perfect sort of thing to wear to a social event—it takes the guesswork right out of breaking the ice. At Monday’s night’s season-three premiere of HBO’s Girls, J.Crew’s president and resident style icon Jenna Lyons walked the red carpet in a pair of shiny trousers, strappy silver stilettos, sparkling layered necklaces—and a sweatshirt, proving that athletic basics can work at even the fanciest of events. Not only was her look comfortable, cool and so quintessentially Jenna, but it was perfectly on point considering Girls‘ youthful target audience. And consider this: When it’s negative degrees outside, isn’t a strapless cocktail dress the absolute last thing you want to slip into? Yeah, a sweatshirt’s sounding more and more appealing right about now.

Click through above to shop 15 slogan sweatshirts inspired by Jenna’s, including a near-identical version of her "ROMANTIC" crewneck. Styled with statement heels, a textural skirt or trouser and plenty of jewelry, any one of them would make a perfect pick for your next party—not to mention an automatic conversation starter.